SA vs WI 1st T20I: Head to Head, Playing XI, Preview, Where to Watch on TV, Online, and Live Streaming Details

The first game of the three-match T20I series will take place on Saturday, March 25.

Published - 24 Mar 2023, 16:47 IST | Updated - 24 Mar 2023, 16:38 IST

2 Min Read

After the ODI series between South Africa and the West Indies ended in a stalemate, the two teams will take center stage for the first game of the three-match T20I series on Saturday, March 25 at the SuperSport Park in Centurion. The last time the Proteas faced the West Indies for a bilateral T20I series back in 2021, they clinched the five-match series 3-2.

This is the first time since the disappointing campaign in the 2022 T20 World Cup that South Africa will take part in the shortest format. The team management have handed the reins of the T20I side to Aiden Markram and he would look to shepherd the troops to perfection. However, Markram & Co. would know that they need to be at their best against a power-packed West Indies side.

West Indies, too, have not played a T20I since the marquee event in Australia, which witnessed the Caribbean side face an early exit from the competition. Under the new leadership of Rovman Powell, West Indies have a formidable squad studded with many proven performers of the T20 circuit. They would look to bring their A-game into play and trump the Proteas in the coming clash.

Pitch and Conditions

The surface at the Supersport Park has generally been batting-friendly. However, it is not doom and gloom for the bowlers as pacers have found assistance with the new ball. The venue has hosted 14 T20Is thus far and eight of them have been won by the side batting first. Therefore, the team to win the toss in the forthcoming clash might look to set up a target.

Probable Playing XI for SA vs WI, 1st T20I

South Africa

The team management will mainly ponder over whether to include the in-form Sisanda Magala or go with the experience and guile of Lungi Ngidi. The rest of the playing XI picks itself.

Probable Playing XI: Quinton de Kock (wk), Reeza Hendricks, Rilee Rossouw, Aiden Markram (c), Heinrich Klaasen, David Miller, Wayne Parnell, Marco Jansen, Kagiso Rabada, Sisanda Magala, Tabraiz Shamsi

West Indies

Johnson Charles has been in a pristine touch of late and might break into the playing XI. However, the think tank could brainstorm over whether to include a bowling all-rounder in Odean Smith to increase batting depth or go with a specialist bowler like Sheldon Cottrell in the team.

Probable Playing XI: Brandon King, Kyle Mayers, Shamarh Brooks, Johnson Charles, Nicholas Pooran (wk), Rovman Powell (c), Jason Holder, Akeal Hosein, Alzarri Joseph, Obed McCoy, Sheldon Cottrell